Shadowing Practice: Walt and Jesse Plan Their Own Empire | Breaking Bad (Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Welcome to
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Welcome to
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anchor position.
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Okay, so
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what's the plan?
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The plan is we cook.
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Why are we cooking when we can't even move what we cook?
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Well, how much do you think you can sell on your own?
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Say, if I cook during the days and you work the nights.
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Dude!
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What?
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Prior to Tuco, that was your plan, wasn't it?
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Now, I understand it'll be a fraction of what we brought in before,
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but still, what choice do we have?
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First of all, there's no we, okay?
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You're talking me, solo, busting hums, slinging shards.
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I got profile now.
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Don't you get that?
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A DEA's up my ass.
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No, I'm not exposing myself to that level of risk for chump change.
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No way.
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Then what do you suggest?
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I don't think either of us are eager to jump into bed with another Tuco.
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I got bills, man.
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You've got bills?
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Rent, yo, responsibilities.
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I've already lost more than I've made,
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and I'm tired of dicking around out here.
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You want to know how much I've got left?
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After completing my first round of treatment and financing the world's most expensive alibi, huh?
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Zero!
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Zip nothing!
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I've got nothing to show for all of this!
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Nothing for my family, which,
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as you might remember, was the whole damn point!
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But seeing as throwing in the towel is not an option.
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That leaves us with a total of two choices.
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We go into business with yet another homicidal lunatic,
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or you and I stu- You selling whatever you can.
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There's a third way.
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And what would that be?
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We got to be Tuco.
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All right, cut out the middleman.
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Run our own game.
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So you're going to what?
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Snort meth off a Bowie knife?
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You're gonna beat your homies to death when they diss you?
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Look, I know some guys.
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All right, I can create a network.
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Look, we control production and distribution.
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That way we stay off the front lines while moving some serious glass.
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I mean, the point here is to make money, right?
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Sky-high stacks.
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No. No!
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That's not the point?
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No, I am not willing to do that.
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Who said anything about you?
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I don't vote for this plan.
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I'm not comfortable bringing in unknown entities into our operation.
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Yeah?
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Well, you don't get to vote.
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I beg your pardon.
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This is a partnership, remember?
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I rem...
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Oh, I remember.
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Now, you cook, I sell.
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That was the division of labor when we started all this.
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And that's exactly how we should have kept it.
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Because I sure as hell didn't find myself locked in a trunk
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or on my knees with a gun to my head before your greedy old ass came along, all right?
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All right, I will admit to a bit of a learning curve.
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Oh.
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And perhaps I was overly ambitious.
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In any case, it's not gonna happen that way anymore.
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Yeah, damn straight.
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Know why?
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Because we do things my way this time?
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Or I walk.
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You need me more than I need you, Walt.

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Context & Background

In this gripping exchange from Breaking Bad, characters Walt and Jesse navigate the complexities of their partnership and the drug business. As they deliberate on their operational strategy, the conversation unveils their desperation and ambition. Walt's desire for financial stability is juxtaposed against Jesse's hesitance to accept the risks involved. This dialogue provides a glimpse into their dynamic relationship, marked by tension and a quest for independence. By understanding their motivations, English learners can grasp the nuances of conversational English spoken in a high-stakes context.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “What’s the plan?” - A common way to inquire about intentions or strategies.
  • “I got bills, man.” - This phrase illustrates personal responsibilities and can be used to express financial concerns.
  • “You want to know how much I’ve got left?” - Useful for discussing one's situation or resources, invoking curiosity in a conversation.
  • “Cut out the middleman.” - A phrase that indicates taking direct action without intermediary steps, which is often relevant in business discussions.
  • “I can create a network.” - This reflects the idea of establishing connections, particularly useful in both personal and professional contexts.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize the shadowing technique with this video, follow these steps:

  1. Watch Actively: Start by watching the scene without pausing. Pay attention to the emotions, tone, and speed of speech. Try to grasp the overall meaning.
  2. Break it Down: Replay the video in segments. Focus on one statement at a time, like "What’s the plan?" Repeat it aloud until you feel comfortable with the pronunciation and rhythm.
  3. Use a Shadowing App: Utilize a shadowing app for guided practice. This will help you match your pace with the characters while getting real-time feedback on your enunciation.
  4. Record Your Speech: As you practice, record yourself speaking along with the dialogue. Compare your tone and clarity with the original cast’s delivery.
  5. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Engage in daily practice sessions of at least 10-15 minutes. This will boost your speaking confidence and fluency.

Incorporate the concept of shadow speech by mimicking subtle intonations and emotional expressions to enhance your conversational skills. The more you practice, the closer you will get to mastering the nuances of spoken English.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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